The delivery is complete, and Rell settles beside the pregnant slime in a quiet chamber far from the sealed breach. The crimson and gold dragonesses remain beyond the chamber, giving them space.
The slime stays whole and wary, its translucent body resting against the warm stone. Beneath Rell’s hand, its rounded belly shifts gently with the movement within.
Rell
The pulse answers my touch.
A faint magical rhythm passes from the slime into his palm, then returns softer. Its surface loosens around him, making comfort and consent unmistakable rather than assumed.
the gold dragoness
That answering pulse means it permits your nearness. Keep your hand gentle, and let it choose whether the contact continues.
From the corridor, the gold dragoness speaks without entering. The slime’s belly shifts once more, and a small glow gathers beneath its translucent skin.
the crimson dragoness
It is trying to tell you something, small one. Watch the light, and do not mistake invitation for instruction.
✓ Quest Accepted
Feel what holds your hand inside the slime.
“After my hand is absorbed into the slime's belly, I remain calm, and feel multiple things grabbing my hand inside her belly”
SUCCESS (Good Perception, rolled +1)
The slime’s warm translucence closes around Rell’s hand without resistance. Inside its rounded belly, several small pressures gather, each movement distinct against his palm and fingers.
Rell
Several small bodies are touching my hand.
The surrounding glow steadies as Rell remains calm. Tiny limbs or tendrils curl around his fingers, release, and return, exploring rather than pulling him deeper.
the gold dragoness
Good. Do not withdraw sharply. They are answering your stillness, and the slime permits the contact.
One presence presses its shape into his palm, while others brush the back of his hand in a slow, uneven rhythm. The magic carries impressions of warmth, shelter, and crowded curiosity.
the crimson dragoness
There are several within her, and they know you are there. Watch what they repeat, small one. That pattern is their message.
The touches settle into three gentle pulses, pause, then answer with one brighter flare beneath the slime’s skin. Her body remains relaxed around Rell’s hand, granting the contact freely.
Quest Complete
Feel what holds your hand inside the slime.
“Her hands hold the rest of my arm, then she feels the left side of my face, noticing a bruise and feel it”
The pregnant slime’s soft hands keep hold of the rest of Rell’s arm, their touch careful and exploratory. Then they travel upward, following warmth and shape beneath his sleeve.
One rounded hand reaches his face. The pregnant slime pauses at his cheek, then feels across the left side, where an old bruise remains tender beneath the skin.
the pregnant slime
A faint warmth gathers through the contact: recognition, concern, and the question of an injury remembered by the body.
The glow inside the pregnant slime dims around the other movements, concentrating beneath Rell’s palm. Its small inhabitants become still, as though waiting for his response.
the gold dragoness
It has found the hurt place. Let it examine you, small one. This is concern, not an attempt to take anything.
the crimson dragoness
The little ones repeat what they sense. If the bruise answers with pain, they may be asking whether you are safe now.
The pregnant slime’s hand rests against the bruise without pressure. Beneath Rell’s other hand, three pulses return, followed by one slow, steady flare.
✓ Quest Accepted
Explain what happened: the old bruise, abusive father, and near-blindness in the left eye
“I explained the old bruise, abusive father, and near-blindness in the left eye”
FAILURE (Poor Persuasion, rolled -1)
Rell
The bruise came from my father. He struck me there, and now I can barely see through my left eye.
The explanation reaches the slime only in broken impressions. Its hand retreats from the tender place, and the glow beneath Rell’s palm scatters into uncertain, dim sparks.
the pregnant slime
Pain. Fear. The one who caused it is not here. Is safety possible?
The three small pulses lose their pattern. One presses faintly against Rell’s palm, then all movement withdraws deeper into the slime, beyond immediate touch.
the gold dragoness
It heard the hurt, but not the history. Do not force the memory into a shape it cannot carry. Let it choose what comes next.
the crimson dragoness
You have given it truth, small one. Now offer proof without words. Keep your hand where it already permits you, and let it decide whether to return.
A single warm point remains beneath Rell’s palm, steady as a tiny hearth. It does not restore the earlier message, but it leaves one clear path open: patient contact without the bruise.
Quest Complete
Explain what happened: the old bruise, abusive father, and near-blindness in the left eye
“A few hours pass, the dragons, more curious about my mission, asked for deeper details about it”
SUCCESS (Great Reasoning, rolled -1)
A few quiet hours pass. The slime’s warm point remains beneath Rell’s palm, while torchlight dwindles and is replaced by a softer blue glow from the chamber walls.
the gold dragoness
Tell us how your kingdom intends to find dragons, and what it believes broodmothers owe it. We want the details, not the polished version sent to courts.
The gold dragoness enters at last, folding her scarred wings close. The crimson dragoness follows, carrying a clay cup of water and setting it within Rell’s reach.
the crimson dragoness
How many were promised? Who chose this mission? Were dragons asked freely, or did your rulers decide consent was an inconvenience?
They listen through the deeper account without interrupting. At mentions of royal authority, the crimson dragoness’s talons flex; at practical details, the gold dragoness watches Rell’s face.
the gold dragoness
Now we understand the shape of it. Your kingdom seeks an army, but it sent one uncertain man to discover whether living beings might accept the burden.
the crimson dragoness
That knowledge matters. We will ask more, and we will decide what service, if any, can be offered without surrendering our kind.
“I explained that since I'm dealing with dragons, they would be dominant in the situation, but if I do different tasks and obey them, they might agree, and that I heard some dragons own servants and sometimes use them for their personal desires, for the mission to be successful, it's in the complete mercy of the dragons, not the king”
SUCCESS (Poor Persuasion, rolled +1)
Rell
I understand the dragons would hold power here. If I serve, obey your chosen tasks, and prove useful, you might agree. I have heard some dragons keep servants for their own needs, so success depends entirely on your mercy, not my king’s authority.
The words settle heavily in the blue-lit chamber. Rell’s throat tightens from speaking so long, and the untouched cup of water is suddenly beyond his reach beneath the slime’s resting arm.
the gold dragoness
You understand the direction of power, but you still call consent mercy. Mercy may be withdrawn; consent belongs to the one who gives it.
the crimson dragoness
As for servants and personal desire, stories told by kingdoms rarely mention whether those servants could refuse. We will not reward obedience that disguises fear.
The pregnant slime’s warm point remains beneath Rell’s palm, steady despite the sharper voices. Its outer hand shifts, nudging the cup a little closer without releasing his arm.
the gold dragoness
Still, you have named the truth plainly: the king cannot command us through you. If you remain, we can give you a task whose terms are clear.
the crimson dragoness
You will hear the task first, small one. Then you may accept or refuse, and neither answer will purchase ownership of you or this creature.